TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Sending a loud and clear message to the government that they are firmly opposed to the mini harbour proposed at the Cutbona fishing jetty, traditional fishermen of Velim and Betul on Sunday threatened to block the navigation channel at the mouth of River Sal if the government goes ahead with the project against their sentiments.
At a meeting held at Rangali-Velim on Sunday evening, the fishermen clarified that they are not opposed to the construction of the retaining wall at the river mouth or the expansion of the Cutbona jetty, but have made it amply clear to the government that they will not allow a mini harbour at Cutbona jetty at the cost of the livelihood of the traditional fishermen.
In fact, the traditional fishermen have suggested to the government to build mini fishing harbours at Benaulim or Colva for the benefit of the mechanised fishing vessels.
At the meeting, former Betul Sarpanch Sudhakar Johsi warned the government that the traditional fishermen will have no option than to block the navigation channel at the river Sal mouth if the government fails to drop the mini harbour project. He also disclosed plans to submit a memorandum to the government on the occasion of the unveiling of the statue of late Matanhy Saldanha at Cortallim constituency.
The president of AVCB Prashant Gokarnekar said that the future of the 1000 traditional fishermen eking a living on the river Sal at Betul will be at stake. He said the traditional fishermen will not allow the mini harbour and urged the government to reconsider the decision.
Vinay Tari warned the government not to fool and misguide the people by saying that the mini harbour project is only for name sake and just to get central funds for the project. “We have no objection to the construction of retaining wall at the river mouth or expansion of jetty, but we will oppose the mini harbour project tooth and nail,” Tari warned.
Pradeep Kerkar and other also spoke.
